5 Key Facts About Isabella Justice Hartley, Justin Hartley's Daughter: Life, College, And Her Growing Independence

For fans of Justin Hartley, the actor most famous for his roles in *This Is Us* and the hit CBS series *Tracker*, the most important person in his life is undoubtedly his only daughter, Isabella Justice Hartley. As of December 2025, Isabella is a bright, independent 20-year-old making her own mark, balancing a demanding college life with occasional, high-profile red carpet appearances alongside her famous father. The dynamic between the father-daughter duo remains one of Hollywood's sweetest, with Hartley frequently sharing his pride and their close bond in recent interviews. This article dives deep into the latest and most unique details about Isabella’s life, from her college studies and her relationship with her stepmother, Sofia Pernas, to her own path toward independence, providing a fresh and comprehensive look at the young woman who is her father’s "built-in best friend."

Isabella Justice Hartley: A Complete Profile and Biography

Isabella Justice Hartley has grown up largely out of the spotlight, despite her parents' fame in the soap opera and prime-time television world. Now 20 and navigating young adulthood, her profile reveals a young woman focused on education and family.

• Full Name: Isabella Justice Hartley
• Date of Birth: July 3, 2004
• Current Age (as of December 2025): 20 years old
• Mother: Lindsay Korman-Hartley (Actress, known for *Passions* and *Days of Our Lives*)
• Father: Justin Scott Hartley (Actor, known for *This Is Us* and *Tracker*)
• Stepmother: Sofia Pernas (Actress, married to Justin Hartley since 2021)
• Education: Currently attending the University of California, Santa Cruz (Began in Fall 2022)
• Key Public Appearances: Regularly attends premieres and events with her father, most recently the June 2025 premiere of his film, *Bride Hard*.

The Early Years: A Daughter of Soap Opera Royalty

Isabella was born in 2004, just two months after her parents, Justin Hartley and actress Lindsay Korman, married. The pair met while co-starring on the NBC daytime soap opera *Passions*, where Justin played Fox Crane and Lindsay played Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald. Although Justin and Lindsay divorced in 2012, they have maintained an incredibly amicable co-parenting relationship, a fact that has allowed Isabella to thrive in a stable, supportive environment. This strong foundation of mutual respect between her parents is a crucial element of Isabella's life, ensuring she has two supportive, loving figures as she navigates her college years.

Justin Hartley's Fatherhood Philosophy and Public Praise

Justin Hartley, who gained massive fame as Kevin Pearson on the critically acclaimed drama *This Is Us*, has consistently called his relationship with Isabella the most important aspect of his life. His approach to fatherhood focuses on being a constant presence and a source of guidance, a philosophy he often speaks about in interviews.

The "Built-In Best Friend" Dynamic

In recent years, as Isabella has entered her 20s, Hartley has frequently described their bond as more of a friendship than a traditional father-daughter relationship. He has referred to her as his "built-in best friend," emphasizing how much he values their connection and how easy it is to communicate with her. This is a testament to the effort he puts into staying current and relevant in her life, even with his demanding filming schedule for *Tracker*. The actor has also been open about the challenges of watching his daughter grow up and gain independence. Speaking to TooFab at the June 2025 premiere of his new film, *Bride Hard*, Hartley joked about his daughter turning 21, saying he had "not been invited" to the celebration, a lighthearted quip that highlights their playful and close dynamic.

Navigating College Life at UC Santa Cruz

Isabella’s decision to pursue higher education has been a major focus for the family. She graduated high school in May 2022 and enrolled at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) in the fall. This move to a university setting marked a significant step into independence, one that both her parents have proudly supported. While she is attending a prestigious university, Isabella has remained grounded, focusing on her studies away from the Hollywood bubble. This commitment to a normal, non-celebrity college experience showcases her desire to forge her own path, separate from her father's successful acting career. The occasional red carpet appearance, such as the one for *Bride Hard* in 2025, serves as a brief, supportive interlude to her academic life.

The Modern Family: Isabella's Relationship with Stepmom Sofia Pernas

One of the most compelling and current aspects of Isabella’s life is her positive relationship with her stepmother, actress Sofia Pernas. Justin Hartley married Pernas, his former *The Young and the Restless* co-star, in 2021.

A Unified Front on the Red Carpet

The public saw a clear display of this harmonious family dynamic at the Los Angeles premiere of *Bride Hard* in June 2025. Justin Hartley arrived with both his wife, Sofia Pernas, and his daughter, Isabella Justice Hartley. This joint appearance by the trio is a strong indicator of the unified, blended family environment they have created. Sources close to the family confirm that Isabella and Sofia Pernas share a good relationship, a critical factor for Hartley, who prioritizes his daughter's happiness above all else. Sofia has embraced her role as a supportive figure in Isabella’s life, ensuring that the transition into a blended family was smooth and positive. The maturity and respect displayed by all parties—Justin, Lindsay Korman-Hartley, and Sofia Pernas—in co-parenting Isabella is an admirable model for modern celebrity families.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords for Deeper Context

To fully understand the world of Isabella Justice Hartley, it is essential to look at the key entities that define her family’s professional and personal lives:

• *Tracker* Series: Justin Hartley's current hit show on CBS, where he stars as Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist. The show's success has kept Hartley in the public eye and is a major part of his professional life as Isabella attends college.
• *This Is Us*: The career-defining NBC drama where Hartley played Kevin Pearson, a role that brought him global recognition and established his reputation as a leading dramatic actor.
• Lindsay Korman-Hartley: Isabella's mother, an accomplished actress and now director, known for her long-running roles in soap operas. Her continued success and positive relationship with Justin ensure a supportive environment for Isabella.
• Chrishell Stause: Justin Hartley's second wife, a key figure in the *Selling Sunset* reality series. While their public divorce was high-profile, Isabella was protected from the media storm, maintaining her focus on her studies and private life.

The continuing narrative of Isabella Justice Hartley is one of a young woman successfully balancing a private, academic life with the occasional demands of being a celebrity's daughter. As she approaches her 21st birthday, her independence and strong family bonds—with her father, her mother Lindsay Korman-Hartley, and her stepmother Sofia Pernas—are the defining characteristics of her promising future.